Optimized phy frame structure for ofdm based narrowband plc

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. The method includes forming a data frame having plural orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols. A first set of preamble subcarriers is allocated to at least one of the OFDM symbols. A second set of data subcarriers is allocated to said at least one of the OFDM symbols.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Appl. No. 62/133,537, filed Mar. 16, 2015 (TI-75933PS), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to power line communication (PLC) and, more particularly, to an optimized narrowband orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) based physical (PHY) frame structure.

Powerline communications (PLC) include systems for communicating data over the same medium that is used to transmit electric power to residences, buildings, and other premises. Once deployed, PLC systems may enable a wide array of applications, including, for example, automatic meter reading and load control for utility-type applications, automotive uses such as charging electric cars, home automation for controlling appliances and lights, and computer networking for internet of things (IoT).

Various PLC standardizing efforts are currently being undertaken around the world, each with its own unique characteristics. Examples of competing PLC standards include the IEEE 1901.2, HomePlug AV, and ITU-T G.hn (e.g., G.9960 and G.9961) specifications. Generally speaking, PLC systems may be implemented differently depending upon local regulations and characteristics of local power grids. For example, the U.S. FCC implementation of IEEE 1901.2 uses OFDM subcarriers from 10 kHz to 490 kHz. CENELEC, the European standard, has various implementations using OFDM subcarriers from 3 kHz to 148.5 kHz. ARIB, the Japanese standard, uses OFDM subcarriers from 10 kHz to 450 kHz. Another standardization effort includes, for example, the Powerline-Related Intelligent Metering Evolution (PRIME) standard designed for OFDM-based (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) communications. The current or existing PRIME standard is the Draft Standard prepared by the PRIME Alliance Technical Working Group (PRIME R1.3E) and earlier versions thereof.

Current and next generation narrowband PLC standards are directed to multi-carrier based systems, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in order to get higher network throughput. OFDM uses multiple orthogonal subcarriers to transmit data over frequency selective channels. A conventional OFDM structure for a data frame includes a preamble, followed by a physical layer (PHY) header, a media access control (MAC) header, followed by a data payload. However, PLC channels are highly challenging environments for digital communication because they suffer from periodic bursts of impulse noise, and the channel impulse response also varies over time.

A conventional synchronization preamble structure for a narrowband OFDM PLC standard, such as IEEE 1901.2 (G3), includes 8 SYNCP symbols followed by 1.5 SYNCM symbols. The synchronization symbols are typically transmitted at a higher (3 dB) rms voltage than the data payload, and there is no cyclic prefix between adjacent symbols. Each SYNCP symbol is a known preamble sequence of different subcarriers phase shifted by a multiple of π/8. Subcarriers of the SYNCM symbol are phase shifted by π with respect to SYNCP so that SYNCM=−SYNCP. For example, a SYNCP symbol may be a chirp-like sequence of a specific binary sequence of 1 s and −1 s or a constant amplitude, zero autocorrelation (CAZAC) sequence. The definition of the SYNCP symbol for the FCC band in IEEE P1901.2 is defined in section 6.6 for specific subcarriers or tones.

The preamble serves several purposes including: 1) indicating to other nodes in the PLC network that a transmission is in progress; 2) determining the frame boundary between the preamble and the PHY header, and between the PHY header and the data payload; 3) determining accurate channel estimates; and 4) for frequency offset compensation. SYNCM symbols help determine the frame boundary and indicate the end of the preamble sequence. The repetitive SYNCP symbols also assist in preamble detection as receiver nodes are looking for the repetitive sequence of symbols in the PLC channel to determine whether or not a frame is on the powerline. Multiple SYNCP symbols also help in obtaining more accurate channel estimates by averaging the channel estimates across multiple symbols to reduce noise. Improved channel estimates also help in improving the header decoding performance when the header is coherently modulated with respect to the SYNCP preamble.

While preceding approaches provide improvement and standardization in PLC operation, the present inventors recognize that still further improvements are possible. This is particularly true for high data rate PLC applications. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments described below are directed toward this as well as improving upon the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of operating a communication system. The method includes forming a data frame having plural orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols. A first set of preamble subcarriers is allocated to at least one of the OFDM symbols. A second set of data subcarriers is allocated to said at least one of the OFDM symbols.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of operating a communication system. The method includes receiving a data frame having plural orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols. A first set of preamble signals is received from at least one of the OFDM symbols. A second set of data signals is received from said at least one of the OFDM symbols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a power line communication (PLC) environment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an IEEE 1901.2 (G3) compatible device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an IEEE 1901.2 (G3) compatible coherent frame structure of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a circuit for preamble symbol generation according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a diagram of sequential preamble symbols as generated by the circuit of FIG. 4, for a first logic level of a modulation control scheme (MCS) signal;

FIG. 5B is a diagram of sequential preamble symbols as generated by the circuit of FIG. 4, for a second logic level of the modulation control scheme (MCS) signal;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a circuit for preamble symbol generation according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of sequential preamble symbols as generated by the circuit of FIG. 6, for respective odd and even preamble symbols; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram of throughput gain as a function of payload size according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is an electric power distribution system is depicted according to the present invention. Medium voltage (MV) power lines 103 from substation 101 typically carry voltage in the tens of kilovolts range. Transformer 104 steps the MV power down to low voltage (LV) power on LV lines 105, carrying voltage in the range of 100-240 VAC. Transformer 104 is typically designed to operate at very low frequencies in the range of 50-60 Hz. Transformer 104 does not typically allow high frequencies, such as signals greater than 100 kHz, to pass between LV lines 105 and MV lines 103. LV lines 105 feed power to customers via meters 106 a-n, which are typically mounted on the outside of residences 102 a-n. Although referred to as residences, premises 102 a-n may include any type of building, facility or location where electric power is received and/or consumed. A breaker panel, such as panel 107, provides an interface between meter 106 n and electrical wires 108 within residence 102 n. Electrical wires 108 deliver power to outlets 110, switches 111, and other electric devices within residence 102 n.

The power line topology illustrated in FIG. 1 may be used to deliver high-speed communications to residences 102 a-n. In some implementations, power line communication (PLC) modems or gateways 112 a-n may be coupled to LV power lines 105 at meter 106 a-n. PLC gateways 112 a-n may be used to transmit and receive data signals over MV/LV lines 103/105. Such data signals may be used to support metering and power delivery applications, communication systems, high speed internet, telephony, video conferencing, and video delivery, to name a few. By transporting telecommunications data signals over a power transmission network, there is no need to install new cabling to each subscriber 102 a-n. Thus, by using existing electrical distribution systems to carry data signals, significant cost savings are possible.

PLC modems or gateways 112 a-n at residences 102 a-n use the MV/LV power grid to carry data signals to and from PLC data concentrator 114 without requiring additional wiring. Concentrator 114 may be coupled to either MV line 103 or LV line 105. Modems or gateways 112 a-n may support applications such as high-speed broadband internet links, narrowband control applications, and low bandwidth data collection applications, or the like. In a home environment, for example, modems or gateways 112 a-n may further enable home and building automation in heat and air conditioning, lighting, and security. Also, PLC modems or gateways 112 a-n may enable AC or DC charging of electric vehicles and other appliances. An example of an AC or DC charger is illustrated as PLC device 113. Outside the premises, power line communication networks may provide street lighting control and remote power meter data collection.

One or more data concentrators 114 may be coupled to control center 130, which may be a utility company, via network 120. Network 120 may include, for example, an internet protocol (IP) based network, a cellular network, a WiFi network, a WiMax network, or the like. As such, control center 130 may be configured to collect power consumption information and other types of relevant information from gateways 112 and devices 113 through concentrator 114. Additionally, control center 130 may be configured to implement smart grid policies and other regulatory or commercial rules by communicating such rules to each gateway 112 or device 113 through concentrator 114.

In some embodiments, concentrator 114 may be a base node for a PLC domain, each such domain comprising downstream PLC devices that communicate with control center 130 through a respective concentrator 114. For example, in FIG. 1, devices 106 a-n, 112 a-n, and 113 may all be considered part of the PLC domain that has data concentrator 114 as its base node. In other scenarios other devices may be used as the base node of a PLC domain. In a typical situation, multiple nodes may be deployed in a given PLC network, and at least a subset of those nodes may be tied to a common clock through a backbone such as Ethernet or digital subscriber loop (DSL).

Still referring to FIG. 1, meter 106, gateways 112, PLC device 113, and data concentrator 114 may each be coupled to or otherwise include a PLC modem or the like. The PLC modem may include transmitter and receiver circuitry to facilitate the device's connection to power lines 103, 105, and/or 108.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary low cost, low power IEEE 1901.2 compatible device 200 that may be used in blocks 112 a-n (FIG. 1) according to the present invention. The diagram illustrates an OFDM transmitter 210 and receiver 220 for use in a power line communication node for PLC over a power line 202. As discussed above, the power line channel is very hostile. Channel characteristics and parameters vary with frequency, location, time and the type of equipment connected to it. The lower frequency regions from 10 kHz to 200 kHz used in G3 PLC and in IEEE 1901.2 are especially susceptible to interference. Furthermore, the power line is a very frequency selective channel. Besides background noise, it is subject to impulsive noise often occurring at 50/60 Hz, and narrowband interference and group delays up to several hundred microseconds.

Preamble circuit 232 produces a preamble to synchronize each transmitted data frame with a receiving device. Preamble sequence allocator circuit 230 determines which tones in an OFDM symbol will be occupied by the preamble. Data 211 and a frame control header (FCH) 212 are provided by an application via a media access layer (MAC) of the communication protocol. Similar to the preamble sequence allocator circuit 230, data sequence allocator circuit 234 determines which tones in an OFDM symbol will be used by data circuit 211 or FCH circuit 212. An OFDM signal is generated by performing an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) 215 on the complex valued signal points that are produced by differentially encoded phase modulation from forward error correction encoder 213 using Reed Solomon encoding. Tone mapping 214 is performed to allocate the signal points to individual subcarriers. An OFDM symbol is built by appending a cyclic prefix (CP) 216 to the beginning of each block generated by IFFT 215. The length of a cyclic prefix is chosen so that a channel group delay will not cause successive OFDM Symbols or adjacent sub-carriers to interfere. The OFDM symbols are then windowed 217 and impressed on power line 202 via analog front end (AFE) 218. AFE 218 provides isolation of transmitter 210 from the 50/60 Hz power line voltage.

Similarly, receiver 220 receives OFDM signals from power line 202 via AFE 221 that isolates receiver 220 from the 50/60 HZ power line voltage. OFDM demodulator 222 removes the CP, converts the OFDM signal to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT), and performs demodulation of the differential binary or quadrature phase shift keyed (DBPSK, DQPSK) symbols. FEC decoder 223 performs error correction using Reed Solomon decoding and then descrambles the symbols to produce received data 224. Frame control header 225 information is also produced by FEC decoder 220, as defined by the G3 and IEEE 1901.2 PLC standards. Similar to the transmitter 210, receiver 220 also has a preamble sequence allocator circuit 236 and data sequence allocator circuit 238 to indicate which tones are used for the preamble and which tones are used for data in any OFDM symbol.

A blind channel estimation technique may be used for link adaptation. Based on the quality of the received signal, the receiver decides on the modulation scheme to be used, as defined in the PLC standards. Moreover, the system may differentiate the subcarriers with a bad signal to noise ratio (SNR) and not transmit data on them.

Transmitter 210 and receiver 220 may be implemented using a digital signal processor (DSP) or another type of microprocessor that is executes control software instructions stored in memory. For example, the processor may perform operations such as FEC encoding, mapping and OFDM modulation, demodulation and FEC decoding in software. In other embodiments, portions or all of the transmitter or receiver may be implemented with hardwired control logic. The analog front ends 218 and 221 require analog logic and isolation transformers that can withstand the voltage levels present on the power line.

A G3 and IEEE 1901.2 PLC system is specified to have the ability to communicate in both low voltage (LV) power lines, typically 100-240 VAC, as well as medium voltage (MV) power lines up to approximately 12 kV by crossing LV/MV transformers. This means that the receiver on the LV side must be able to detect the transmitted signal after it has been severely attenuated as a result of going through a MV/LV transformer. As the signal goes through the transformer it is expected to experience overall severe attenuation in its power level as well as frequency-dependent attenuation that attenuates higher frequencies. Both transmitter and receiver have mechanisms to compensate for this attenuation. The transmitter has the capability to adjust its overall signal level as well as shape its power spectrum based on tone map information provided by a target receiver, while the receiver has both an analog and digital automatic gain control (AGC) in order to achieve enough gain to compensate for the overall attenuation.

Turning now to FIG. 3, there is a coherent frame structure for communication between the network of FIG. 1 and the device of FIG. 2 according to the present invention. The frame includes a preamble, a frame control header (FCH) and payload data. The preamble includes synchronization symbols such as SYNCP 300 and SYNCM 302 and is terminated by a half SYNCM symbol 304, which is preferably a repetition of the first half of SYNCM 302. The preamble is separated from the FCH by an overlap region 306. The exemplary FCH includes 12 OFDM symbols, but this may vary with different band plans. The FCH is coherently modulated and contains information regarding the current frame such as the type of frame, the tone map index, and the length of the frame. Each FCH symbol is preceded by a respective guard interval (GI). For example, the FCH1 310 is preceded by respective GI 308, and each FCH symbol is separated by an overlap region. Symbols S1 and S2 are inserted between the FCH and the payload data (DATA). Symbol S2 is similar to SYNCP 300 except that it includes a cyclic prefix, GI, and overlap regions. Symbol S1 is an inverted version of S2 (−S2). The payload data follows symbols S1 and S1 and includes data in respective OFDM symbols. The first symbol, for example, includes overlap 312, GI 314, and data 316.

Referring next to FIG. 4, there is a diagram of a circuit for preamble symbol generation according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The circuit includes IFFT and parallel-to-serial (P/S) converter 215 from FIG. 2. Cyclic prefix circuit 216 appends a cyclic prefix from the end of the P/S converter output to the beginning of the serial output to complete the OFDM symbol. As previously discussed, IEEE 1901.2 has specified 128 tones for FCC narrowband PLC. This requires a minimum of N=256 IFFT samples. In this exemplary embodiment, however, only K=72 of these tones are used, and the remaining 56 tones at the ends of the IFFT are unused and set to zero. Preamble tones 1-36 (P₁-P_(K/2)) are applied as inputs to the IFFT circuit. Multiplex circuit 400 is coupled to receive preamble tones 37-72 (P_(K/2)-P_(K)) and 36 data tones (X₁-X_(K/2)). Multiplex circuit 400 selectively applies the 36 preamble tones or the 36 data tones to the IFFT circuit in response to a modulation control scheme (MCS) signal.

Operation of the circuit of FIG. 4 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B. When the PLC signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is good, a high data rate MCS may be selected for the frame of FIG. 3. In this case, 36 preamble tones are sufficient for synchronization detection at a receiver (FIG. 2). Thus, MCS has a high logic level and multiplex circuit 400 applies 36 data tones to the IFFT circuit. Sequential SYNCP symbols, therefore, have a structure as illustrated in FIG. 5A, where the vertical axis is subcarrier frequency and the horizontal axis is time. Each SYNCP OFDM symbol includes 36 preamble tones 500 and 36 data tones 502. The preamble tones are preferably contiguous within the OFDM symbol to provide a better correlation profile. This greatly increases data throughput when the PLC SNR is good. When the PLC signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is compromised by noise, a lower data rate MCS may be selected for the frame of FIG. 3. In this case, 72 preamble tones may be required for synchronization detection. Thus, MCS has a low logic level and multiplex circuit 400 applies 36 additional preamble tones (P_(K/2)-P_(K)) to the IFFT circuit. Sequential SYNCP symbols, therefore, have a structure as illustrated in FIG. 5B. Each SYNCP OFDM symbol includes 72 preamble tones 504 and no data tones. In a first mode of operation, a receiver operates on a static allocation of data for each OFDM preamble symbol. This is preferably a default mode. In a second mode of operation, the receiver operates on a semi-persistent or adaptive allocation as determined by a received data frame. This mode is preferably adapted to the communication system SNR. This embodiment of the present invention advantageously increases data throughput when the PLC SNR is good and reverts to normal data throughput in a high noise environment.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is a diagram of a circuit for preamble symbol generation according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The circuit includes IFFT and parallel-to-serial (P/S) converter 215 and cyclic prefix circuit 216. Multiplex circuit 600 selectively applies the 36 preamble tones (P₁-P_(K/2)) for odd-numbered symbols or 36 data tones (X₁-X_(K/2)) for even-numbered symbols in response to control signal EVEN. Likewise, multiplex circuit 602 selectively applies the 36 data tones for odd-numbered symbols or 36 preamble tones for even-numbered symbols in response to control signal EVEN.

Operation of the circuit of FIG. 6 will now be described with reference to FIG. 7. For odd-numbered symbol 700 (Symbol 1), control signal EVEN has a low logic state. Thus, multiplex circuit 600 applies preamble tones P₁-P_(K/2) to IFFT circuit 215, and multiplex circuit 602 applies data tones X₁-X_(K/2) to IFFT circuit 215. Symbol 700, therefore, includes 36 preamble tones 702 at the upper frequency range and 36 data tones 704 at the lower frequency range. For even-numbered symbol 706 (Symbol 2), control signal EVEN has a high logic state. Thus, multiplex circuit 600 applies data tones X₁-X_(K/2) to IFFT circuit 215, and multiplex circuit 602 applies preamble tones P₁-P_(K/2) to IFFT circuit 215. Symbol 706, therefore, includes 36 data tones 708 at the upper frequency range and 36 preamble tones 710 at the lower frequency range. In a first mode of operation, a receiver operates on a static allocation of alternating preamble and data subcarriers in each OFDM preamble symbol. This is preferably a default mode. In a second mode of operation, the receiver operates on a semi-persistent or adaptive allocation as determined by a received data frame. This mode is preferably adapted to the communication system SNR and desired throughput. This embodiment of the present invention advantageously improves frequency diversity gain by alternating preamble and data frequencies in adjacent OFDM symbols.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is a diagram of throughput gain as a function of payload size according to the present invention. In the foregoing embodiment of the present invention, throughput gain increases from 19% to 34% as payload data increases from 30 to 70 bytes. Further increases in payload data size are accompanied by a gradual decrease in throughput gain. This is because additional data in the preamble becomes less significant as payload data (after FCH) in the frame increases. At 480 bytes of payload data, the throughput gain decreases to 14%.

Embodiments of the present invention may be readily adapted to other frame structures as one of ordinary skill in the art having access to the instant specification will understand. For other applications, the number of used preamble symbol tones K may be more or less than 72. Likewise, the IFFT samples may be more or less than 256. Although previous embodiments have specifically addressed addition of payload data to SYNCP symbols, payload data may also be added to SYNCM symbols or to frame symbols S1 and S2 of the FCH. Moreover, embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 6 may be combined to selectively include or omit data tones in response to a modulation control scheme, and the included data tones may alternate with preamble tones in alternating OFDM symbols.

Still further, while numerous examples have thus been provided, one skilled in the art should recognize that various modifications, substitutions, or alterations may be made to the described embodiments while still falling with the inventive scope as defined by the following claims. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. Other combinations will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having access to the instant specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a communication system, comprising: forming a data frame having plural orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols; allocating a first set of preamble subcarriers to at least one of the OFDM symbols; and allocating a second set of data subcarriers to said at least one of the OFDM symbols.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication system is a power line communication system.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of allocating data subcarriers in said at least one of the OFDM symbols is a static allocation.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of allocating data subcarriers in said at least one of the OFDM symbols is an adaptive allocation as signaled by a received frame.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising: including K preamble subcarriers in each of the OFDM symbols in response to a first control signal, where K is a positive integer; and including K/2 preamble subcarriers and K/2 data subcarriers in each OFDM symbol in response to a second control signal.
 6. The method of claim 1, comprising: including K/2 first preamble subcarriers and K/2 second data subcarriers in each even-numbered OFDM symbol; and including K/2 first data subcarriers and K/2 second preamble subcarriers in each odd-numbered OFDM symbol.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of data subcarriers is allocated to preamble SYNCP and SYNCM OFDM symbols.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the preamble subcarriers of the first set are contiguous within said at least one of the OFDM symbols.
 9. A method of operating a communication system, comprising: receiving a data frame having plural orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols; receiving a first set of preamble signals from at least one of the OFDM symbols; and receiving a second set of data signals from said at least one of the OFDM symbols.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the communication system is a power line communication system.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the steps of receiving preamble and data signals in said at least one of the OFDM symbols are in response to a static allocation.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the steps of receiving preamble and data signals in said at least one of the OFDM symbols are in response to adaptive allocations as signaled by a received frame.
 13. The method of claim 9, comprising: converting K preamble signals in each of the OFDM symbols to K respective subcarriers in response to a first modulation control scheme, where K is a positive integer; and converting K/2 preamble signals and K/2 data signals in each OFDM symbol into K/2 respective preamble subcarriers and K/2 respective data subcarriers in response to a second modulation control scheme.
 14. The method of claim 9, comprising: converting K/2 first preamble signals and K/2 first data signals to K respective subcarriers in each even-numbered OFDM symbol; and converting K/2 second data signals and K/2 second preamble signals to the K respective subcarriers in each odd-numbered OFDM symbol.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the second set of data subcarriers is received in preamble SYNCP and SYNCM OFDM symbols.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the second set of data subcarriers is received in at least one frame control header OFDM symbol.
 17. A power line communication (PLC) circuit, comprising: an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) circuit coupled to receive a first plurality of preamble subcarriers; a multiplex circuit coupled to receive a second plurality of preamble subcarriers at a respective first plurality of input terminals and a plurality of data subcarriers at a respective plurality of second input terminals; and a control terminal of the multiplex circuit arranged to receive a control signal to selectively apply one of the second plurality of preamble subcarriers and the plurality of data subcarriers to the IFFT circuit.
 18. The PLC circuit of claim 17, comprising a parallel-to-serial circuit arranged to convert the IFFT output signals to a serial data stream.
 19. The PLC circuit of claim 17, comprising a cyclic prefix circuit arranged to append a plurality of signals from an end of the serial data stream to a front of the serial data stream.
 20. The PLC circuit of claim 17, comprising: a receiver circuit coupled to receive a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols from the IFFT circuit; and a synchronization detection circuit arranged to synchronize the receiver circuit with the OFDM symbols in response to one of the first plurality the preamble subcarriers and the first and second plurality of preamble subcarriers. 